FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Part C: Find and Connect support services –
Western Australia
Effective July 2012
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Preface
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA or the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program
Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the program. They provide the key starting
point for parties considering whether to participate in the program and form the basis for the
business relationship between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient.
They are:
-
Part A: Program Guidelines which provides an overview of the Program and the Activities
relating to the program;
-
Part B: Information for Applicants which provides information on the Application,
Assessment, Eligibility, Selection and Complaints processes; and Financial and Funding
Agreement arrangements.
-
Part C: Application Information provides specific information on the Activity, Selection
Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with
the Standard Terms and Conditions.
-
The Application Form which is completed by applicants applying for funding during a
selection process.
FaHCSIA reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it
may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.
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Table of Contents
PREFACE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1
PROGRAM OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1
1.2
2
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
3
PROGRAM OUTCOMES........................................................................................................................................ 4
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................... 5
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................... 6
PARTICIPANTS/CLIENTS/RECIPIENTS/TARGET GROUP ......................................................................................... 7
FUNDING FOR THE ACTIVITY .............................................................................................................................. 7
ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
FEES ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
ACTIVITY LINKS AND WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND SERVICES............................................................. 8
SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS (E.G. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS) ...................................................................... 8
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY .............................................................................................................................. 9
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION .............................................................................................. 9
ACTIVITY PERFORMANCE AND REPORTING ........................................................................................................ 9
APPLICATION PROCESS .................................................................................................................................. 10
3.1
OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ...................................................................................................... 10
FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION CLOSING DATE, FAHCSIA WILL ASSESS ALL APPLICATIONS. APPLICATIONS FOR FIND
AND CONNECT PROJECTS WILL BE ASSESSED USING CRITERIA OUTLINED AT 3.2. .......................................................... 10
3.2
SELECTION CRITERIA ....................................................................................................................................... 10
3.3
HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.................................................................................................................... 11
3.4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD........................................................................ 13
3.5
QUESTIONS AFTER THE APPLICATION PERIOD ................................................................................................... 13
3.6
CLOSING DATE AND TIME ................................................................................................................................. 13
3.7
APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................ 13
4
SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLYING TO THIS ACTIVITY .......................................................................... 13
5
CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................... 14
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Program Overview
The Australian Government helps to support families, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged
families, to improve child wellbeing and development, safety and family functioning through the
provision of integrated support services.
The Family Support Program (FSP) funds a range of non-government organisations to provide
preventative and early intervention services, support focussing on family relationships, and
parenting and family law services to help navigate life's transitions and to help families who are
vulnerable to poor outcomes to build their resources and capabilities to enable more positive family
functioning.
The FSP provides broad-based services that complement other Australian Government programs
such as family payments and child care. The FSP also provides more intensive assistance in
disadvantaged areas that complements the important roles of other programs and agencies
including the statutory responsibility for child protection held by the states and territories. It also
complements the family law system, including legal services and child support arrangements.
The FSP comprises the following two streams:

the Family and Children’s Services stream aims to provide services to families,
particularly those who are vulnerable or in disadvantaged communities to improve family
functioning, safety and child wellbeing and development; and

the Family Law Services stream aims to provide alternatives to formal legal processes for
families who are separated, separating or in dispute to improve their relationships in the
best interests of children. These services are funded through the Attorney-General’s
Department.
1.1
Program Outcomes
All FSP services work towards the following objective:

to provide integrated services for families, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged
families, to improve child wellbeing and development, safety and family functioning.
To achieve this, the following five outcomes are relevant 1:

Families function well in nurturing and safe environments.

Children and families have the knowledge and skills for life and learning.

Families, including children, especially those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, benefit
from better social inclusion and reduced disadvantage.

Organisations provide integrated services and work in collaboration with other services and
the community.

Services focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged families and children.
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These outcomes have been developed with reference to a range of documents, including the FaHCSIA Portfolio Budget Statement; Protecting
Children is Everyone’s Business – The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020; Investing in the Early Years – A National
Early Childhood Development Strategy; Time for Action – The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2009-2021; The
National Compact – Working Together Between the Commonwealth and the Non-profit Sector; Closing the Gap; and The Social Inclusion Agenda.
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1.2
Aims and objectives
The FSP aims to provide integrated services for families, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged
families, to improve child wellbeing and development, safety and family functioning, and to help
build stronger, more resilient families and communities. To achieve this aim, FSP services must
have an emphasis on family, be child focussed and work as part of a collaborative service delivery
system with links across FSP providers and the broader sector to provide an integrated suite of
local services.
For more information refer to Part A of the FSP Guidelines Section 1.2 Program Aims and
Objectives.
2 Activity Overview
On 16 November 2009, the Australian Government formally apologised to Forgotten Australians
and Former Child Migrants for the pain and suffering experienced by so many children last century
while in out-of-home care and throughout their lives. As part of the apology, the Government
announced Find and Connect funding of $26.5 million over four years (to 2013-14), to be invested
in a broad range of activities with the objective of improving the lives of Forgotten Australians and
Former Child Migrants. The Find and Connect appropriation includes, among other activities,
funding for the following activities:

a scoping report on the needs of care leavers for the delivery of Find and Connect nationally;

two National History projects about Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants being
delivered through the National Library of Australia and the National Museum of Australia;

the development of a national Find and Connect web resource (website and searchable data
base developed with the University of Melbourne);

research into Freedom of Information, Privacy and Right to Information legislation and
practices;

Find and Connect Records Access Documentation Project consisting of small grants to assist
past and current providers index records to increase accessibility for Forgotten Australians and
Former Child Migrants to their records;

enhanced funding for the Child Migrants Trust to deliver Find and Connect services, through its
professional social work service, to all Former Child Migrants wherever they live around
Australia;

strengthening the voice of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants through advocacy,
education, awareness-raising and mutual support through new funding for the Care Leavers
Australia Network, the Alliance for Forgotten Australians and the International Association for
Former Child Migrants and their Families; and

the development and implementation of Find and Connect support services.
The Find and Connect support services are:
 a 1800 information, advice and referral number for Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants;
 service providers will be required to take carriage of the 1800 number for calls
originating in their state/territory.
 the 1800 number is expected to be operational between 9am and 5pm (local
time).
 the Department will purchase the 1800 number and divert all calls originating
from that state/territory to the service provider.
 data/reporting and call handling procedures will be negotiated with
successful applicants.
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

skilled staff to assist Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants locate their
records and provide support throughout the records release process, trace their
families and reunite with family where possible;
 This element has a particular emphasis on:
o supported access and release of records;
o establishing professional and enduring relationships to ensure
continuity for the client when using Find and Connect support
services; and
o establishing outreach services to provide Find and Connect support
services to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in rural,
regional and remote areas.
specialist trauma-informed counselling for Forgotten Australians and Former Child
Migrants to assist them recover from their experiences in care and the consequential
impacts on their relationships and functioning.
Find and Connect support services are based on the following service delivery design principles
agreed by the National Find and Connect Consultative Forum in May 2011:
 client centred service design;
 respectful of the different histories and needs of Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants;
 promoting self determination;
 offering choice;
o as a subset of choice – independence from past service provision.
 creating accessibility to services;
 ensuring specialist skills to deliver services;
 providing referral to, and linking in, with mainstream services to create joined-up
service delivery;
 ensuring Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants are part of governance
and evaluation;
 Commonwealth investment complements and enhances existing state-funded support
services; and
 acknowledging Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants have a right to
information, and past providers are accountable for its availability.
The development and implementation of this activity is a Ministerial objective and is critical to
delivering the Government’s commitment to improving outcomes for Forgotten Australians and
Former Child Migrants.
2.1
Aims and objectives
Find and Connect aims to improve social outcomes for Forgotten Australians and Former Child
Migrants by assisting them to reconcile with their life stories and restore family relationships.
Find and Connect aims to improve outcomes for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants
through ensuring:

a shared vision between governments and service providers about improved access to
records, professional support and family reconnection for Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants;

the application of good practice principles in working with Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants to ensure their experiences are recognised;
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
system infrastructure is in place to support effective services through an emphasis on
sector capacity building, workforce, partnerships, joined up service delivery, records
release and performance measurement evaluation;

the implementation of multiple entry points into the service system;

services for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants are portable across
states/territories (that is, Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants will be able to
access Find and Connect support services regardless of where they were in care or their
current location); and

appropriate governance arrangements at a national and state/territory level to support
shared responsibility for services to Forgotten Australian and Former Child Migrants.
2.2
Participants/clients/recipients/target group
The target group for Find and Connect projects are Forgotten Australians and Former Child
Migrants, defined as:
 people who spent a period of time as children in children's Homes, orphanages and other
forms of out-of-home ‘care’ last century up until the 1980s by which time the process of
de-institutionalisation had concluded (they are not contemporary care leavers); and
 children who arrived in Australia through historical child migration schemes until 1970 and
who were subsequently placed in Homes and orphanages.
2.3
Funding for the activity
On 16 November 2009, the Australian Government announced funding for Find and Connect
projects of $26.5 million over four years (to 2013-14). It has subsequently been identified as
having ongoing funding in the 2010-11 Portfolio Budget Statement.
There is approximately $1.3 million available for Find and Connect support services in
Western Australia
2.4
2.4.1
Eligibility
Eligible organisations
The following organisations are eligible for funding:
a) Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have
'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name);
b) Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have
"Cooperative' in their legal name);
c) Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 - maybe not-for-profit or for-profit
proprietary company (limited by shares or by guarantee) or public companies);
d) Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006
and administered by the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Corporations);
e) Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory
legislation (many public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc);
f) Partnerships; and
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g) Trustees on behalf of a Trust.
Local governments, State or Territory governments or individuals (jointly or separately) are not
eligible to apply for funding.
2.4.2
Eligible activities
Funding must only be used for the purposes/activities/projects for which it was provided as outlined
in the funding agreement.
Funding may be used for the following:

staff salaries and on-costs for project implementation and ongoing management;

staff training;

materials and equipment directly related to the implementation of the activity;

operating expenses directly related to the implementation of the activity such as office
materials, utilities, insurances, vehicle leases, telephones, economy class travel,
bookkeeping, and audit;

travel within Australia related to the activity; and

the delivery of the activity to standards as indicated in the Program Guidelines.
Funding will not be provided for the following categories of costs:
2.5

costs that are not directly and specifically related to the activity, e.g. ongoing staff wages,
rent, overheads and administrative costs of existing operations that would be incurred
regardless of the project;

overseas travel;

relocation costs; and

retrospective costs, including costs incurred in the preparation of this application.
Fees
Service providers of Find and Connect support services must not charge fees to clients accessing
Find and Connect services.
2.6
Activity links and working with other agencies and services
Effective links with other agencies and services provide the opportunity to raise awareness broadly
and on specific issues. The provider of Find and Connect support services must build and
maintain effective relationships with a broad network of relevant services to ensure effective
interaction with appropriate services.
The provider of Find and Connect support services must collaborate with other Family Support
Program providers, and other organisations that support individuals and families, particularly
Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants.
2.7
Specialist requirements (e.g. Legislative requirements)
The provider of Find and Connect support services must comply with all relevant Commonwealth
and State/Territory legislation and regulations.
The needs of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants and scope of services to be
provided are broad and will require specialist skills and expertise including, but not limited to:
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
suitably qualified staff (including appropriate supervision) with trauma counselling expertise
will be required to respond to the complex emotional support and counselling needs of
Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants;

suitably experienced staff in records tracing – expertise in this field is critical to:
o

2.8
provide effective service provision for Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants who are searching for their records.
understanding of historical policies and approaches to out-of-home care in Australia
including the affect these practices have on Forgotten Australians and Former Child
Migrants and their families.
Information technology
The provider(s) of Find and Connect support services must have information and communications
technology systems in place prior to commencing service delivery to allow them to meet their data
collection and reporting obligations.
2.9
Performance management and evaluation
The provider(s) of Find and Connect support services are encouraged to undertake internal
evaluations of their own accord in order to promote quality service delivery. FaHCSIA periodically
undertakes evaluations and reviews to ensure projects are high quality, effective, efficient and
appropriately targeted to the needs of children and their families. FaHCSIA will notify funding
recipients of:
 the intention to conduct an evaluation;
 the purpose of the evaluation;
 who is conducting the evaluation;
 the time frame in which it is to be conducted; and
 any involvement sought from the service provider.
Further information on performance management and evaluation is available in Part A of the FSP
Guidelines Section 4.2 Research and Evaluation.
2.10
Activity performance and reporting
The purpose of the Performance Framework (Framework) is to define a consistent approach to
monitoring and reporting performance across the FSP – drawing on a common set of high-level
results and performance indicators.
The Framework was implemented from July 2011. The Framework asks four key questions about
service delivery:




Did we make a lasting difference? (intermediate outcomes/impacts);
Did we make an immediate difference? (immediate outcomes/impacts);
How well have we done it? (service delivery quality); and
How much did we do? (service outputs).
Much of the data required under the Framework is collected through the FSP Data System.
Collection of new data where required will be phased in and some data may be collected through
occasional surveys.
For more information on performance and reporting requirements the service provider should refer
to the funding agreement and the Family Support Program Performance Framework Service
Provider Help Guide available at www.fahcsia.gov.au.
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Further information on performance management and evaluation is available in Part A of the
Family Support Program Guidelines Section 4.2 Research and evaluation.
Specific performance and reporting requirements, developed from the above indicators, for
Find and Connect will be outlined in the funding agreement.
3 Application Process
3.1
Overview of the Application Process
The selection process for Find and Connect support services in Western Australia will be an open
competitive selection process, following unsuccessful processes undertaken in January 2011 and
January 2012. More information on the types of selection processes can be found in Part B of the
FSP Guidelines ‘Information for Applicants’.
FaHCSIA will assess applicants for funding primarily on the basis of the information provided in the
Application Form. FaHCSIA may use information about an applicant that is, or becomes known to
FaHCSIA in the course of FaHCSIA’s business, as well as any publicly available information.
Following the application Closing Date, FaHCSIA will undertake an Initial Screening for
Compliance of applicants as described in Part B of the FSP Guidelines ‘Information for
Applicants’.
Following initial screening, applicants will be assessed using the criteria outlined at 3.2. Each
criteria is weighted equally. Applicants that score a "0" or "1" on the 6 point rating scale for any
criteria will be categorised as Not Suitable and may not be considered further.
Applicants may also be subject to a Financial Viability Assessment. If an applicant has been
assessed in the last 12 months by the Department’s financial advisor or is a current FaHCSIA
service provider, the Department may not conduct a new financial viability assessment.
Applicants may also be subject to Service Provider Capacity Risk Assessments to determine any
controls to include in Funding Agreements. If an applicant has recently been assessed in a
Provider Capacity Risk Assessment undertaken by the Department for other grant programs, the
Department may not conduct a new risk assessment.
Applications will be subject to a Value for Money consideration, which among other things, will
have regard to the application’s proposed budget, score against the selection criteria, level of risk.
Following the completion of the assessment process, applications will be ranked and a
recommendation will be made to the Decision Maker for approval to engage in a Funding
Agreement with a Preferred Applicant to deliver Find and Connect support services in Western
Australia.
In assessing applications, the Department may conduct interviews and/or site visits to the service
providers to clarify/verify information.
3.2
Selection Criteria
The objective of this selection process is to fund the application that best represents value for
money in the context of the objectives and outcomes for Find and Connect support services.
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In determining whether or not the application represents Value for Money, the Department will
consider:
 the overall extent to which the organisation's service delivery model will achieve positive
outcomes for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants;
 the proposed budget;
 the score against the selection criteria; and
 the level of risk.
The Find and Connect support services are:
 a 1800 information, advice and referral service for Forgotten Australians and Former Child
Migrants:
 service providers will be required to take carriage of the 1800 number for calls
originating in their state/territory.
 the 1800 number is expected to be operational between 9am and 5pm (local time).
 the Department will purchase the 1800 number and divert all calls originating from
that state/territory to the service provider.
 data/reporting and call handling procedures will be negotiated with successful
applicants.
 skilled staff to assist Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants locate their records
and provide support throughout the records release process and their efforts to trace their
families where possible:
 This element has a particular emphasis on:
o supported access and release of records;
o establishing professional and enduring relationships to ensure continuity for
the client when using Find and Connect support services; and
o establishing outreach services to provide Find and Connect support services
to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in rural, regional and
remote areas.
 specialist trauma-informed counselling for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants
to assist them recover from their experiences in care and the consequential impacts on
their relationships and functioning.
Service providers are advised applications must address:
Criterion 1. Service Delivery Model
 proposed service and how it will be made operational:
a. 1800 information, advice and referral
b. records searching
c. supported release of records
d. trauma-informed professional counselling
e. facilitating restoration of family relationships where desired
f. outreach to ensure coverage across entire jurisdiction
g. peer support and social support programs
 how your service will operate:
a. independence from past providers of care1 or how any relationships between
the service provider and past providers of institutional care will ensure the
independence of this service2
b. providing a welcoming, nurturing and comfortable environment from a
location/venue/facility that is not associated with or mirrors the physical
environments in which children were in care last century3
c. easily accessible via public transport
d. disability accessible
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


how your service will ensure collaboration and integration with mainstream services
such as aged care, health, housing and dental services
timeframes and proposed budget to deliver services, including achieving service
commencement in September 2012
how your service will engage Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in
governance arrangements4
Criterion 2. Organisational experience
 demonstrated understanding of the experiences of Forgotten Australians and
Former Child Migrants and capacity to effectively engage and deliver professional
services to the client group
Criterion 3. Professional Approach
 relevant qualifications and demonstrated expertise of staff and management to work
with Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants
Explanatory Notes:
1
Past providers of care to children means Children's Homes, orphanages and other forms of out-of-home
‘care’ until 1989.
2
Senate Inquiry reports and State governments’ inquiry reports detail the neglect, deprivation of health and
education, exploitation, physical abuse and sexual abuse many children, known as Forgotten Australians
and Former Child Migrants, suffered in out-of-home care last century. The Australian Government made a
national apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in 2009 for the mistreatment and
crimes perpetrated against them. The Australian Government’s new Find and Connect support service is
being established to assist Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants recover from the experiences
and losses of their childhoods and the enduring impacts on their wellbeing and relationships.
Where applicants have historical and/or current associations with past providers of institutional and other
forms of out-of-home care last century, a detailed description is required to demonstrate how these
associations will be transparently identified and managed to ensure Forgotten Australians and Former
Child Migrants will both perceive and experience a service that is independent from the influence or control
of organisations that were responsible for their ‘care’ as children and against whom they may have, be in
the process of or wish to pursue in the future criminal charges or claims for compensation against those
institutions/organisations and/or individuals operating within those institutions/organisations.
Evidence must be provided of deep understanding and respect for the real vulnerability of Forgotten
Australians and Former Child Migrants who experienced neglect and abuse during their time in ‘care’ as
children, and demonstrate how the applicant’s historical and/or current associations with past providers of
care will be managed so as not to create a barrier to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants
accessing the Australian Government’s Find and Connect support service and/or create potential conflicts
of interest regarding criminal or compensation action Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants may
seek the support of Find and Connect support services to help them pursue.
3
The location/venue/facility must have no perceived or actual associations with past care environments. It
must provide an environment where Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants do not experience an
association with the environments or ‘carers’ of their childhoods.
4
Governance arrangements must reflect an appropriate balance of representation by Forgotten Australians
and Former Child Migrants. Representation on governance bodies by members who have an actual or
perceived association with past providers of care must be transparent and supported by detailed strategies
to mitigate against any perception by Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants that the Find and
Connect support service is governed or influenced by those associated with past providers of care.
3.3
How to submit an application
To apply for selection under this process, applicants will need to complete the Application Form
and respond to the selection criteria as detailed above. Applications must be received by the
closing date and time.
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FaHCSIA will not issue Application Forms or accept completed applications by fax.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary at 1.7 of Part B of the Program Guidelines, there is no
word limit for applications.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary at 1.4 of Part B of the Program Guidelines, if an
application does not contain all required attachments outlined in the application form, the
Department may in its absolute discretion:

request the provision of the missing attachments or any other further information it
requires; or

not review the application and seek applications from other providers.
3.4
Questions and Answers during the Application period
FaHCSIA will only respond to requests for information that seek clarification of issues so as to
allow applicants to better understand the requirements of the Application Form and Program
Guidelines.
Questions should be addressed to the dedicated mailbox address:
[email protected]
All answers to questions in this stage of the selection process, and will be posted on the
Department’s website.
3.5
Questions after the application period
FaHCSIA will not accept or respond to any applicant’s requests for information or correspondence
about the status or progress of their application during the assessment phase.
3.6
Closing date and time
Your application must be emailed to: [email protected] by 2pm AEST
(12pm AWST), 3 August 2012.
3.7
Application Acknowledgement
Unless prior agreement has been reached with FaHCSIA, an application will not be considered
lodged until it is received by FaHCSIA. The applicant will receive email notification from FaHCSIA
within 24 hours of an application being lodged correctly. If the applicant has not received
notification in this timeframe, the applicant should contact FaHCSIA to confirm that the form has
been lodged correctly.
3.8
The Department’s Rights
If there is no suitable application, the Department may, with the advice of the relevant State or
territory government and at its absolute discretion:

invite an alternative service provider in the relevant state or territory to submit an
application; or

invite a service provider in another state or territory who has the capacity to deliver Find
and Connect in the state or territory with no suitable application to submit an application.
4 Special Conditions applying to this Activity
There are no special conditions that apply to Find and Connect support services direct selection
process.
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5 Contact Information
Attention: Section Manager
Support and Connections Section
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Tuggeranong Office Park
PO Box 7576
CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE ACT 2600
Website:
www.fahcsia.gov.au
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
1300 653 227
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